Apr 30, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. Export of Japan’s logs in 2013 was 264,000 cubic metres, 133% more than 2012. This is the highest export since the Japan Wood Products Export Promotion Council started gathering statistics. In particular, the export to China soared to 129,000 cubic metres, 797.2% more, ITTO reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries made up export promotion strategy of agricultural and marine products and target of forest products export value of 25 billion yen ($244 million) by 2020 from 12.3 billion yen ($120 million) in 2012.

In 2013, because of robust demand in China and help of weak yen, log export to China expanded to 129,000 cubic metres from 14,000 cubic metres in 2012.

Log export also increased for Taiwan P.o.C andS. Korea so total log export more than doubled in 2013. Lumber export was only 66,000 cubic metres, 2.9% more but growth is low.

In 2014, China’s wood structure standard is revised, which allows use of Japanese cedar, cypress and larch for structural materials so further increase of demand for Japanese logs is expected.